LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive
Added 05.10.11. Significant edits and some new material 20.12.12.
1465, Private John Thomas BAMBRICK — 11th Hussars
Birth & early life
Born in Shajupre [PB: modern Shajapur, in west-central India?], India, on the 6th of February 1832, the son of Troop Sergeant Major John Bambrick of the 11th Light Dragoons and his wife, Harriet Ann.
He was baptised at Meerut on the 14th of March 1832, the officiating priest being the Revd G. C. Proby.
Six children are known to have been born to his parents, all in India:
- Harriet Frances, born at Meerut on the 11th of August 1825
- Robert, born at Cawnpore, 13th of October 1827
- Maria, born at Cawnpore, 21st of October 1829
- John Thomas, born Shajupre, India, 6th of February 1832
- Adelaine, born at Meerut, 19th of May 1834
- Valentine, born at Cawnpore, 13th of October 1837.
Enlistment
Enlisted into the Rifle Brigade on the 6th of September 1849, joining the 2nd Battalion at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight. Regimental No. 3154.
Trade: Clerk.
No other enlistment details are shown.
Transferred to the 11th Hussars on the 1st of March 1850.
Service
"59569 John T.Bambrick, 11th Hussars, Bengal, East Indies, clerk, 18 and a half, 5 feet 9 inches, dk brn [hair], dark [eyes], fair [face], deserted 3 September from Norwich, "walks very upright; took greater part of reg.nec. [regimental necessaries]".
(Click on image to enlarge)
Tried by a District Court-martial at Norwich for "absence" and "to forfeit all of his previous service" on the 1st of October 1850.
At this time he was described as 5' 9" in height, with a fresh complexion, small dark eyes and dark brown hair.
1851 Census
Pockthorpe Cavalry Barracks, Norwich.
J. T. Bambrick, Soldier, 19, 1832, born East Indies, Bengal, B.S. [British Subject].
He was shown as a "Hospital Orderly" for a while in 1854.
Rode next to 1495 Sergeant Robert Davies at Balaclava and endeavoured to help him capture a Russian gun that the crew was trying to get away from the field of battle. His horse was later killed under him. (See record of 1495 Robert Davies.)
The citation for the award of the Sardinian War Medal to 1495 Robert Davies describes the situation as follows:
"After having passed through the battery in the Light Brigade Charge and perceiving a Russian field-piece limbered up ready for retreat, Sergeant Davies called to Private John T. Bambrick, who was riding next to him, to follow and endeavour to capture it... In going to perform this duty he was attacked by two Russian lancers, one of whom he shot down, the other shot his horse; when on the ground he received a lance wound in the right thigh. He then caught a loose horse and rejoined his regiment."
From Private to Corporal: 1st of January 1855 (on augmentation).
"In confinement": 20th-25th of April 1855, after being reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-Martial on the 19th of April 1855 for "Absence."
Lummis and Wynn state that he died at Camp Kadikoi on the 5th of July 1855, but this was not so.
A letter was sent from Horse Guards, dated the 7th of July 1857 to the Commanding Officers of both the 2nd Life Guards and the 11th Hussars:
"The transfer of Private John Bambrick from the 11th Hussars to the 2nd Life Guards is permitted. Reason — None stated by him."
Transferred to the 2nd Life Guards on the 31st of July 1857. Regimental No. 34:
"In Barrack Cells": 6th-7th of May 1858.
"Absent": 8th of May — 20th of September 1858.
Discharge & pension
Discharged, "as a bad character", from Windsor on the 28th of September 1858.
Medals
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honour (5th Class), awarded, according to the London Gazette, 4th of August 1856, for "bravery at Balaclava".
Commemorations
Life after service
Emigrated to Australia, never married.
Death & burial
Died at Bourke in New South Wales, Australia, on the 17th of October 1893, aged 65 years. (His date of birth would have made him only 61.) The cause of death was "Asthma (2 years)".
Much of the information usually found on Australian death certificates is not shown. (There is a copy in the "Certificates" file.)
He was buried in Grave No. 91. Church of England Section, in Bourke Cemetery, New South Wales. No plan of this cemetery is now in existence and no memorial stone was erected.
Further information
A number of men with the surname of Bambrick, almost certainly all close relations of 1465 John Thomas Bambrick, led noteworthy lives. They are included here for the light they cast on the interconnectedness of Army, Empire and family life in this period:
Valentine Bambrick, 17th Light Dragoons [probable grandfather?].
John Bambrick [father].
Valentine Bambrick [probable uncle?].
Valentine Bambrick VC [brother].
Robert Bambrick [brother].
Robert Bambrick, 11th Hussars [probable uncle?].
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[RM: Possibly a descendant relation: Private Richard Bambrick, 1st King's Dragoon Guards. Grave at Rawalpindi:
"Sacred to the memory of Private Richard Bambrick who died 11th January 1884. Aged 27 years. This stone is erected by the non commissioned officers and men of his troop as a token of esteem."
